Assembling machine



H. T. H-ALLOWELL, JR

AS SEMBLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1941 Jw r if? a" ain 2W g/w Jufly 20, 1943. H. T. HALLOWELL, JR 2,324,925

ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 20, 1943. H. T. HALLOWELL, JR

' ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, '1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 JURY 2U, 1943 H. T. HALLOWELL, .IJR

ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 .l ully 2Q, 194 H. T. HALLOWELL, JR 2,

ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 20, 1943. H. T. HALLOWELL, JR

ASSEMBLING MACHINE File d Dec. 22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented July 20', 1943 Howard Thomas HallowelL Jn, Jenkintown, Pa.

assignor to Pennsylvania Manufacturing Com- Dany, Jenkintown, ware Pa., a corporation of Dela- Application December 22, 1941, Serial No. 424,052 13 Claims. (ores-4) A principal object of this invention is to provide a machine for assembling the'several elements which constitute the priming head for explosive shells.

'In the attached drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of one the assembled priming heads;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing the individual internal elements of the priming head; I

Fig. 3 is adiagrammatic side elevational View of the machine showing the major essential parts of the assembling mechanism;

Fig. fl is a front elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating in plan one of the elements of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevationalview of the machine; i

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the machine as viewed from the line 1 1, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view'on the line 8-6,

Fig. 9 is a sectional viewonthe line 99, Fig. '7; v s

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line Illill, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line H-l Fig. '2;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line iii-l2, Fig. 8 s s s Fig. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of that portion of the mechanism shown at the extreme right in Fig. 8, the parts being shown in different relative positions to illustrate.

the mode of operation;

Fig. 14 is afragmentary plan view illustrating a detail of the mechanism; I

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on theline l5i5, Fig. 1d;

16 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a further detail of the mechanism;

17 is a sectional viewon the line I 1-41, Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 elements it, and Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are fragmentary sectional views showing successive steps in operation as a whole;

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated a priming head and the several parts thereof which the machine forming the subject of the present invention is-primarily adapted to assemble. The head comprises an outer casing I which is recessed for reception of a percussion element 2, a firing pin 3, and acap 4 which funcis a sectional view on the line [8-48,

is a view in perspective of one of the of the mechanism illustrated in Fig.

the assembling sunk for reception of the percussion element 2,

and this element is tightly fitted within the countersunk recess. The cap 4 is similarly pressfitted in the top of the recess, While the firing pin 3 is loosely confined within the sleeve so that it may be forcibly projected against the top of the percussion element 2 when occasion demands. It will be noted that the percussion element 2 has a rounded top 5; that the firing pin 3 has a teat 6 on the under side thereof, which teat nor-, mally engages the curved top of the percussion element 2; and that the cap 4 takes the'form of asleeve having an inturned flange 1 at the outer end, this end, as indicated at 8 in Fig. 1, being in assembly slightly inset belowthe end surface 9 of the body member I of the head.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the machine in the illustrated embodiment comprises a rotary Worktable H which constitutes a carriage for the casings I of the priming head and which car ries the said casings successively into the predetermined positions Where the assembling operations take place. The intermittent rotation and indexing of the worktable H is accomplished in the present instance by a reciprocatory member I2 which carries a pawl I3 for. engagement with pins l4 arranged in annular series on the table, as shown in Fig. 5. Each reciprocatory movement of the member 12 moves the table,through the medium of the pawl l3 and pins [4, into a properly indexed position for one of the assembling operations. V A

The machine also comprises a plurality of endless conveyer belts I5, i6 and I! which are arrangedto carry the elements 2, 3 and 4 into posi connected through a pulley 24 with a suitable source of power. This shaft is also connected through gearszfi and 26 with a shaft 21, and.

through this shaft and associated bevel gears 28 and 29 with a cam shaft 3 I, from which the aforesaid transfer mechanism is actuated, as hereinafter more fully set forth. The shaft 3| is also connected through suitable sprockets and a chain 32 with a reduction gear 33, and through this gear with the shafts 34 and 35 which carry the pulleys 36, 31and38 on which the belts 15, I6 and I! travel.

The belt 15, which travels in the direction inarms 48, 48;

dicated by the arrows in Fig. '7, carries the percussion elements 2, theseelements being deposited upon the beltwith their rounded top sur-, faces 5' downwards. 1 The elements .are carried by the belt between guides 39 and M which main- 7 tain them in a single row, as illustrated in Fig. 7.}

The guideway 42 between the guides 39 and M terminates in a cross channel 43. The rear end of this channel is occupied by a reciprocatory plunger 44, and the front end of the channel terminates in an enlarged portion 45, see Fig. '7, i

which is adapted for reception of a transfer member 46. The member 45has in its outer end a recess 41 between two resilient arm portions or bifurcations 43, 48. The recess 41 is arranged' so a that when the end of the member 46 occupies the recess '45, seeFig; 14. the said recess 41 is in alignment with .andliesin immediate proximity to the end of the channel 43. As the plunger 44 moves forward, that one of the percussion elements 2 which lies within the channel 43 is forcedfby the plunger into the socket 41, where it is retained by the resilient pressure .cf' the The plunger 44 isslidably mounted in a block 49.,which block in turn'is slidably guided in a suitable support 5|, see Fig. 7. The block 491s operatively connected through a roller 52 with a cam, 53 on theshaft 3| whereby rotation of the 7 said shaft results in a reciprocating movement of thesaid plunger. Preferably and as illustrated, the plunger 44 is normally held by pressure of a sprin 54in an advanced positionin the block 4.9 whereby. if the plunger 44' meets an obstruction during the advance movement of the j block 49, the plunger may befretracted against.

the spring 54 without breakage of anybf the immediately associated parts of thcmachine.

The transfer member 461s supported in a block. which is carried at one end of a rock shaftfii! this shaft being iournaled in thepresent instance between the points 51, 5I'on the fixed framework ofthe machine. The shaft 56 is threaded for reception of a collar 58, and between thiscollar and the adioiningside of the block 55 a toothed pinion 59 is confined so as tobe fixed,

to the shaft. The pinion 58 meshes'with a gear which is suitably journaledin the frame of downwardly into the open top of the casing and into proximity to the inner countersunk recess in which the percussion element .2 is to be established. The flanges are thenzin position to act as guides for the percussion element 2 as the iatter is forced from the transfer member into the countersunk recess in the head I which is adapted for its reception. It will be noted that I inits movement with the transfer member, the 1.0.

percussion element 2 has been brought into an upright positionwith the rounded top uppermost,

and it is in this position that the element is pressed into the casing I.

by'this oscillation through an angleof approxie mately 180 whereby the outer terminal endof themember passes from the positionwithin the recess 45, as previously described. to a position as-shown in I ig. 7, wherein the socket -4'I-overlies and. is indirect alignment with the open top of.the-c-asiI1gII choice of the priming heads on the ,table I I. These two extreme positions of the transfer-member are controlled by adjustable.

stops 6.6, 66 on the frame which are positioned for engagement with one side of the block 55, as shown in Fig. 8s. It will be noted that the bifurcations, IBflare provided with arcuateflanges E1, E] which, in eiiect, form extensions of the walls of the socket 41. When the member 46 is in the position overlying -,one of the,

priming head casings, the flanges 6.1 project When the transfer member 46 is in the positionioverlying one of the priming head casings onthe table I I as described above, the socket 41 is also in alignment with the plunger I9 on the reciprocatory head I8, the positional relation- SiIllD Of'the parts being illustrated in Figs. 6 and In the normal operation of the machine, the member I8 now moves downwardly so that the plunger IS entering the top ,of the socket 4'! displaces the percussion element 2 downwardly, see Fig. 13, into the countersunk recess which is provided for its reception in the priming head casing I. The manner in which the flanges 61 function toguide tlierpercussionelement 2 into the said countersunk recess is clearly illustrated in Fig.

It will be understood that the table II is intermittently actuatedthrough the. medium of the member Ifiaffas previously set forth, to bring the priming head casings I which are'supported in recesses 88 in the peripheral portion of the table, as shown in Fig. 13, successively into positions in alignment with the transfer member 45 and the plunger l-l, the table being accurately indexed so as to insure'true alignment of the parts. As previously set forth, the movement of the table is effected through the pawl I3 acting on the pins I4 and actuated by the reciprocatory member I2.

mittent movement of the table II is accurately synchronized with themovements of the transfer member 46,the recip'rocatorymovement of the plunger 44, and the .reciprocatory movement of the member [8. which carries the plunger IS. In

other words, the movements of all the various rziarts of the mechanism originate from the shaft In orderio;affordclearance for the swinging movement of the transfer member 46, the plunger !9 is given a longer movement than the throw of the supporting member I8. To this end, the plunger I3 is supported slidably within a sleeve 72, said plunger being normally held in the lower end of the sleeve by a spring I3. This spring is sufliciently strong to-resist any normal pressure imposed upon the plunger 18, but. will contract under abnormal pressure to prevent breakage of theparts. The sleeve 12 is slidably supported inv a suitable guide in the member I8, andhas i thereon a rack I4 which meshes with a gear or intermittent. movement of the table it to. the

station indicated at B, wherein the other parts of the priming head, namely, the firing pin 3 and retaining cap 4, are inserted in the casing l. The firing pins 3 are fed into the machine on the belt I6, and the caps 4 on the belt IT. The relative positions of these belts are best shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 16 to 18, inclusive. The pins 2 and caps.3 are carried by the belts through channels 'I! and I8 whereby the said pins and caps are held in asingle line. The channel Tl dead ends in a cross channel I9, within which is a plunger 8| similar tothe plunger 44 previously described. The channel 18 also terminates in a cross channel 82 which directly overlies the cross channel I9, see Figs. 17 and 18, and a second plunger 83 is slidably mounted in the channel 82. When advanced, the plungers 8| and 83 are adapted to move one each of the pins 3 and caps 4 into the ends of the respective channels 19 and 82, as shown in Fig. 20, in which positions the. pins 3 directly underlie the open under side of the cap 4. At this point also, the

. bottom wall 84 of the channel 82 is provided with an opening sufficiently largeto permit passage therethrough of the pin 3, said opening being in exact alignment with the cap 4 when the latter occupies the terminal end of the passage 82, as illustrated. The bottom wall 85 of the passage 19 is also. provided at its terminal end with an opening of asize to accommodate a verticallyreciprocatory plunger 80. This plunger, shown in Fig. 20, normally forms a part of the bottom wall 85 of the passage 19 and closes the said opening, but after the plunger 8| has ad vanced one of the pins 3 into the end of the passag 19, the plunger 89 is actuated, as hereinafter described, to elevate the pin 3 through the opening in the lower wall 84 of the passage 82 into the interior of the overlying cap 4. Continued upward movement of the plunger 86 carries the pin and cap assembly upwardly into a recess 8'! in the under side of a transfer member 88, see Fig. 21, and in this position, the pin and cap assembly is retained in the recess 81 by suction, as hereinafter described, so that when the plunger 8'6 is retracted, the pin and cap assembly will remain in the'recess Bl.

With reference to Fig. 17, it will be'notedthat V the pins 3 are carried on the belt I6 in position wherein the tests 6 are at the under side so that the pins are supported on the belt in a slightly inclined position. As the pins 3 are advanced on the belt I5 towards the channel 19, they are carried under a cover plate 89, the surface of which slants downwardly toward the channel 19, as shown in Fig. 17. This inclined surface of the cover plate 89 by-engagement with the tops of the pins 3 gradually adjusts the pins into a truly horizontal. position wherein they rest solely upon the teats 8. This final position of the pins 3 is clearly shown in Figs. 16 and 17. As the pins are advanced in the channel 19 by the action of theplunger SI, see Fig. 16, the teat 6 moves into a slot .9I. provided for its reception in the bottom wall of the channel I9, and the slot 9! is also extended into-the upper end of the plunger 86 so that the pin 3 may occupy a normally horizontal position on the top of the said plunger. Thus supported, the pin 3 is in position to be carried upwardly on the plunger 85 into the cap 4. r i

The plungers 8! and 83 are carried in a slide 92, which s ide is guided for rectilinear sliding movement inthe casing, as indicated in Fig. 9. The rearward extension of, the slide 92 carries a roller 93 which engages a cam 94 on the shaft 3|. The plungers 8| and 83 are slidably mounted in the slide 92, see Figs. 9 and 10, and each is held in an advanced position in the slide by a spring 95, and also by a spring 96 which is confined between an arm 9'l'depending from the slide 92' and a collar 98 on a .rod 99 secured to the plunger and extending freely through the said arm 91. The springs and 96 are sufficient to hold the plungers 8| and 83 in the advanced position in the slide 92 against any normal pressure, but an abnormal. pressure will cause the plungers to retract the springs to thereby prevent breakage of the parts of the machine. 1 I

The plunger 86 is slotted at. IOI ,see Figs. 9 and 16, for reception of an arm I02 on a rock shaft I03, said shaft being journaled in the frame of the machine, as best shown in Figs. 7 and 9. To the rear end of the shaft is attached an arm I04 carrying. a roller I05 which engages a cam7I08 on the shaft 3 I. Rotation of the shaft and of the cam causes an oscillation of the rock shaft I03 and a consequent vertical reciprocation of the plunger86. A spring. I01 holds the cam roller I05 in engagement with the cam.

The transfer member 88, as best shown'in Figs. 6, 7 and. 9, is carried on a slide I08, this slide being supported in a guide I09 for longitudinal reciprocation. The rear end of the slide I08 carries a roller I II which engages in a groove in the cam 94 on the shaft 3|. Action of the cam causes the transfer member 88 to move in a rectilinear path between two positions, one overlying the terminal ends of the channels I9 and 82 and the plunger 86, all as previously described and illustrated in Figs. 16, 20 and 21, and the other overlying the path of the priming head casings I as having slidably supported in theinterior thereof a plunger I I4. This plunger is confined at the top by a gland II5 through which the projecting upper end IIB of the plunger extends above the top of the casing H2. The lower end of theplunger is splined, as best shown in Fig. 19, wherein the splines are designated by'the reference numeral I I1. These splines are fitted in correspondingly formed grooves H8 in the walls of the opening I I3 of the casing I I2 so that while theplunger H4 is slidable longitudinally in the casing II2, it is held by the splines against rotational movement. It will be noted that the outer terminal ends of the splines are inset slightly from the extreme surface H9 of the plunger,

this' arrangement having the function hereinafter described. A spring I21 normally retains the plunger I I4 in an elevated or retracted position, as shown in Fig. 16. j

The plunger H4 is provided with a central lon gitudinal bore I22 extending upwardly from the end surface H9, and this bore communicates through a transverse port. I23 with a tube I24.

This tube extends through a slot I25 in the cas- .ing II2, see Fig. 6. To the outer end of the tube is attached a flexible tube I26 which extends to a suitable source of suction. As shown in Figs. 16 and 20, the terminal surface I I9 of the plunger H4 forms the upper movable wall of the recess 81 which receives the firing pin and cap assembly,

as previously described and as illustrated in Fig.

2'1, When the. plunger has thuslcarried the pin and cap: into the recess &1; the suction imposed asa descrlibed above upon the bore I22 acts to retain the assembly in the recess, it being apparent tnatthe'. suction acts immediately upon the firing pin 3 and retains the .cap t throu'gh the engage-mentor thelpin rwith the inturned flange 8. V

In operation and following the elevation of the sub-assembly consisting of the firing pin 3' and cap 4 into the recess 8? of the transfer member 88, the: latter is shifted by action of the cam 93 to the position indicated in broken lines inFi'g.

16, in which as previously set forth the transfer member directly overlies orient the priming head casings supportedin the table H in which casing the percussion element 2' has "previously been inserted, 'shownin Fig. 16. In this position, the plunger: HI :di-rectly underlies the plunger 2| on: theicari'ier "I8, see Fig, 6; it being noted-that this latter plunger is. slidamysup ported the member lllandlisl backed by a reliei spring IN, which 'iunctionszaiter the manner of therspring 13 previously} described. Down 'ward movementz'of themember la and with it of the plunger 21 causes: the latter to engagethe projecting end I N of the plunger-H4; and: forces the latter downwardly in the casing, thereby displacingthe "pin and cap assembly from the re- 1 mass M and-forcing itinto the openupperend of the priming head casing has shownin. Fig. 12?;-

to thereby complete the assembly; The-ends of thesp-lines |-l1,see:Fig'.- 22,'wh-ichas previously stated are set; slightly back ,of the terminal surface 5| P931 of the plunger engagespthe top surface ofthe casing, I, whereas the bodyof the plunger extends slightly; below the top surfaceof the casing 13 so that in l the final assembly and as shown in Figswlt and 22pthere is a slight cleara-nce between the top suriaceofthecasing and the; outer terminalsurfaceof the cap 4. i H Ifhe assembly operation now being complete,

the-finished priming-heads are removed from the table it and. replaced by empty casingsql iora continuation or the assembly process,

The structural form and mode of operation. of

the machinewi-ll be, clear from the foregoin description, l "I r Iclaim: l a machine for assembling the percussion elements,-firing pins and caps in the casings of priming heads, said machine comprising; a

travelling support for saidcasings and means for indexing said suPDQ 't so as to move each of said casings successiwaly into two predetermined positions, a transfer 'mechanism for carrying a;

m said last-named plunger and another posi-- percussion element to -each of the casingsas the latter occupyjonc of said positionsand for instarting; said element the casing, mans-ion conveying. the elements; tothe transfer mocha-r nism, a conveyerfor each of the firing pins and.

caps, mechanism operatively associated with said conveyers for inserting the, pins in the=capsas subeassemblies, and a transfer mechanism for carrying said sub-assemblies. to the respective.

casing when, the latter occupy the second of said positions and for inserting/the sub-assembly as a unit ini thecasing. above the percussion clement.

,1In mechanism for inserting percu sion elemen'ts in the casings of priming heads, said mechanism comprising a support for saidibead,

a combined ,transfer member and guide pivotally mqvablein a verticalplane through an angle of approximately to a position overlying said casing, said member comprising a retainer for each in a relatively fixed path to and from said" support, said support being movable soas to ad- Vance a workpiece carried thereby progressively into positions in alignment with said plunger-s, a plurality oi" conveyers, a transfer member 1novable ina pathtraversing the space between one of said 'conveyers and the work support for transferring a work element from theconveyer to a position in the path of movement of one of said plungers and betwcen'the plunger and said work piece, means for conjoining work e1e-' merits from two others of said conveyers for transfer simultaneously to a position in the of movement of 'the other of sal d 'plungers and between that plunger and the work piece,

transfer means for the last-named elements, and mechanism for synchronous actuation of said support, the p-luhgersand the transfer l4. Inan assembling machine, the combination with a work support, of a plunger movable in a relatively fiicecl path to, and froms'aid support,

said suppqrtbeing movable so as to advance work pieces carried thereby successively into position "in alignment with the plunger, a pair of conveyers operating in different vertical planes, a vertically'movable plunger positioned in proximityto said conveyers, means for transferringa work element from each of said conveyers trans-' versely to a position overlyingsaid plunger and superimposed one above the other,'a transfer member movable between one position overlytion in the path of theflrs't-named plunger and between the latter plunger and a work piece carried by said support, means in said transfer member for receiving and retaining said work elements, means for actuating the second-named plunger to elevate'the work elements into the transier member, and means for synchronously actuating said p1unger's,.the transfer means and the support.

5. In anassembiing machine, a pair of conveyersoperatingin diiferent horizontal planes, means operatively associated withsaid conveyers for displacingwcrk elements carried by the'latter into avertically aligned position adjoining said .conveyers, a verticallymovabl'e plunger'um derlying said position and providing a support for thelower of said elements, a transfer 1nem-. b cr overlying said position and havingmeans for receiving and retaining said elements, mechanism synchronized with said element-displacingfl means for actuating the vplunger to elevate the said elements together into the receiving and retaining means of said transfer member, and mechanism operating in synchronism with theplunger for actuating said transfer member.

6. In an assembling machine, the combination with'a pair of conveyers movable indifferent horizontal planesga; vertically movable plunger positionedadjacent said conveyers, a. transfer member movable to and from a position overlying and in alignment with said plunger and above said conveyers, a recess in the bottom of said transfer member, suction means connected with said recess, means for displacing work elements from the conveyers to a vertically aligned position overlying said plunger, and means for actuating said plunger to elevate said elements jointly into the recess of said transfer member, said suction means being operative to retain said elements in the recess.

7. In an assembling machine, the combination with a co-nveyer, of a vertically movable plunger positioned adjacentsaid conveyor, means for displacing a work element from the conveyer to a position overlying said plunger, a transfer member movable between one position in alignment with and overlying said plunger and a second relatively remote position, said transfer member comprising a casing having a recess in the bottom thereof for alignment with said plunger, a plunger mounted in said casing and movable downwardly through said recess, resilient means'for normally retaining said plunger in an elevated position in the casing, a passage extending through said plunger to the bottom terminal end thereof and opening into said casing recess, means for actuating the first-named plunger to elevate the work element into the recess in the bottom of said casing and against the lower terminal end of said casing plunger, suction means connected with said passage and acting to retain the said work element in the said recess, mechanism for synchronously actuating said transfer member and the elevating plunger, and means operative in the second-named position of said transfer member for depressing the plunger in the casing to expel the work element from the latter.

8. In an assembling machine, a work support, a plunger movable in a relatively fixed path to and from the said support, said support being movable so as to advance recessed Work pieces carried thereby successively into position in alignment with said plunger, a transfer member movable'to and from a position overlying and in alignment 1 with the recess in said work piece and in the path of movement of said plunger, a recess in the bottom of said transfer member, a normally retracted plunger movably supported in said transfer member and forming the bottom wall of said recess, means for introducing a Work element into said recess, suction means in said transfer member for retaining th element in the recess, and means for actuating the plunger first named to depress the plunger of the transfer member to thereby force the Work element from the lastnamed recess and into said work piece.

9. In an assembling machine, a work support, a plunger movable in a relatively fixed path to and from the said support, said support being movable so as to advance recessed work pieces carried thereby successively into position in alignment with said plunger, a transfer member movable to and from a position overlying and in alignment with the recess in said work piece and in the path of movement of said plunger, a recess in the bottom of said transfer member, a normally retracted plunger movably supported in said transfer member and forming the bottom wall of said recess, means for introducing a work element into said recess, suction means in said transfer member for retaining the element in the recess, and means for actuating the plunger first named to depress the plunger of the transfer member to thereby force the work element from the lastnamed recess and into said Work piece, the said plunger of the transfer member having splines engageable with the terminal end surface of said Work piece and set back from the terminal end of the plunger whereby said splines may limit the extent to which the said plunger enters the recess in said work piece.

10. In an assembling machine, an intermite tently movable work support, a vertically reciprocatory member, a plunger vertically movable in said reciprocatory member and overlying the support, a transfer member o-scillat'able in a vertical plane to and from a position in alignment with said plunger and between said plunger and the work support, mechanism for vertically reciprocating the plunger-carrying member, a rack on said plunger, a relatively fixed rack in proximity thereto, and a pinion journaled on said vertically reciprocatory member and meshing With said racks.

11. In an assembling machine, a co-nveyer', a vertically reciprocatory plunger adjacent said conveyer, support means bridging the space between the conveyor and said plunger, means for displacing a work element from the conveyer and over said support means to a position on the plunger, said support means having a recess for reception of a projection on the bottom of said work element, and said plunger having at its upper end a corresponding recess in alignment with the recess in said support, a transfer member movable to and from a position overlying said plunger, and mechanism for elevating the plunger to carry the said work element to the transfer member.

12. In a machine for assembling the percussion elements, firing pins and caps in the casings of priming heads, said machine comprising a support for said casings, a plurality of transfer mechanisms operatively associated with the support, means for actuating the support to bring Til , the casings successively into operative positions and caps in the casings of priming heads, said machine comprising a support for said casings, a transfer mechanism, and means for intermittently actuating the support to bring the casings successively into operative position with respect to the transfer mechanism, means remote to said support for loosely assembling the said pins and caps in mated pairs and for feeding each of the pairs as a unit to the transfer mechanism, means for actuating the said mechanism in synchronism with the movements of the support and with said feeding means to transfer the said units to the respective casings, and suction means in said transfer mechanism for retaining the loosely assembled units in the mechanism during transit to the casings,

HOWARD THOMAS HALLOWELL, JR. 

